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SB 971

Income tax, state; creates second-chance employment tax credit.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Aaron Rouse

Gives counties more local hiring and contracting autonomy in public health, with faster approval timelines and potential unpaid hospital board service by county health officers.

Left in Finance and Appropriations
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Bill Summary · SB 971

Summary — SB 971: Maryland Department of Health and Health Officers — Revisions

Status: Withdrawn by Sponsor (withdrawn 2025-02-17)
Introduced: Jan. 28–29, 2025 (Sen. Lam, by request — Commission on Public Health)
Would have taken effect: Oct. 1, 2025 (if enacted)
Companion bills: HB 2302, HB 886

Note: The provided document includes an unrelated excerpt referencing an Illinois bill (SB0971) on artificial‑intelligence video interviews; that language appears to be a clerical insertion and is not part of the Maryland proposal summarized below.

Purpose
- To revise statutory authorities and procedures affecting the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and county health officers, increasing certain local authorities (hiring, contracting, participation in procurements) and requiring inclusion of public health workforce data if MDH creates a workforce clearinghouse.

Key provisions
- Procurement notification and participation
- If MDH procures a system for collecting/storing electronic health records (EHRs), MDH must notify each county health officer and offer the county health department the opportunity to join that procurement.

  • Local hiring authority

    • A county health officer may appoint an individual to a county health department position without approval by the Secretary of Health or the Secretary of Budget and Management if that position is fully funded through local funds or grant funding.

  • Contracting authority and time limit for approval

    • A county health officer may enter into contracts or written agreements to assist/participate in delivery of health services when such contracts normally require MDH approval. If the Secretary does not provide written approval within 7 days of a request, the county health officer may proceed with the contract.

  • Health officer service on hospital boards

    • A county health officer may serve on a hospital board in the State provided the health officer does not accept payment for board service.

  • Health care workforce data clearinghouse

    • Adds a new Subtitle 25. If MDH creates a health care workforce data clearinghouse, it must include data related to the “public health workforce,” defined to include staff of the Public Health Services Administration, local health departments, and Department of the Environment employees focused on community/population health.

Who would be affected
- County health officers and county health departments (greater local hiring and contracting flexibility)
- Maryland Department of Health and Department of Budget and Management (reduced review/approval triggers in specified situations)
- Hospitals (may receive voluntary, unpaid service from county health officers on boards)
- Public health workforce planners and policymakers (through clearinghouse inclusion if MDH builds it)

Potential impacts and considerations
- Increased local autonomy could speed hiring and local partnerships, especially when positions are locally/grant‑funded.
- The 7‑day approval default could enable faster contracting but reduces centralized review; MDH operational practices may need adjustment to meet notification/approval deadlines.
- Including public health workforce data in any MDH clearinghouse would support workforce planning but requires data collection and privacy processes.
- Fiscal effects would depend on local funding choices and whether MDH implements the clearinghouse.

Legislative outcome
- The bill was withdrawn by the sponsor on Feb. 17, 2025, and did not advance to enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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